Data outputting method, data outputting apparatus, data reproducing method, data reproducing apparatus, data recording method, data recording apparatus, and record medium

ABSTRACT

A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.10/148,822, filed on Jun. 3, 2002, which is a national stage applicationof PCT/JP01/08747 filed on Oct. 4, 2001, which is based on Japan PatentApplication No. 2000-304914 filed on Oct. 4, 2000. The disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a data outputting method and a dataoutputting apparatus for outputting data of a content for example music,a movie, and a game program (in this specification, such data isreferred to as content data), a data reproducing method and a datareproducing apparatus for the content data, a recording method and arecording apparatus for the content data, and record medium on which thecontent data has been recorded.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, as the Internet and digital contents such as so-calledcompact discs and digital video discs are becoming common, problems ofwhich the digital contents are illegally copied and the copyrightsthereof are infringed have taken place.

From a view point of the protection of the copyright, to deal with aproblem of copyright infringement, copyright information such ascopyright control information is added to digital contents. It can beconsidered that with the additional information, digital contents areprevented from being illegally copied. Among illegal copy protectingtechnologies, an electronic watermark technology is becoming attractivebecause it is difficult to illegally forge additional information.

An electronic watermark process is a process for embedding additionalinformation as noise to a perceptually unimportant portion of image dataand music data (namely, a redundant portion of image data and musicdata).

It is difficult to remove the additional information that has beenembedded in image data and music data by such an electronic watermarkprocess. On the other hand, after a filtering process and a datacompressing process have been performed for image data and music data,it is possible to detect the embedded additional information from theimage data and music data.

Thus, it can be expected that the copyright of content data can beeffectively protected in such a manner that copyright information suchas copy generation restriction information as additional information ofan electronic watermark (hereinafter, the additional information of theelectronic watermark is referred to as electronic watermark information)is embedded in content data, the resultant content data is transmitted,and the copyright information is used for controlling a copyingoperation.

However, a detector that detects electronic watermark information isrelatively expensive. Thus, when a detector that detects such electronicwatermark information is used for an outputting apparatus, a reproducingapparatus, and a recording apparatus, from a view point of themanufactures thereof, their costs rise. Thus, when a system that causesthe users to actively use the detectors is not assured, unless there isa legal restriction against the use of such a detector, it is difficultto force the manufactures to dispose the detectors in the apparatuses.

Likewise, when additional information such as advertise information isadded to content data, a system that causes the users to actively usethe additional information is important.

From a forgoing point of view, an object of the present invention is toprovide a data outputting method, a data reproducing method, a datarecording method, and their apparatuses, and a record medium that aresuitable for a system that causes users to actively use additional datasuch as electronic watermark information and advertisement informationof content data.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention of claim 1 is a reproducing method, comprising the stepsof determining whether or not additional data has been read from datathat had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determinedresult represents that the additional data has been read from the data,performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read fromthe record medium corresponding to reward data contained in theadditional data.

The invention of claim 26 is a data outputting method, comprising thesteps of when data is output, the data being read from a loaded recordmedium, additional data being added to the data, determining whether ornot an output destination apparatus to which the data is output is anapparatus that satisfies a predetermined condition, when the determinedresult represents that the output destination apparatus is an apparatusthat satisfies the predetermined condition, determining whether or notthe output destination apparatus is a recording apparatus, when thedetermined result represents that the output destination apparatus is arecoding apparatus, encrypting the data that has been read from therecord medium, outputting the encrypted data, and also outputting anencryption key for decrypting the encrypted data that has been read fromthe record medium.

The invention of claim 32 is a recording method, comprising the steps ofwhen data to which additional data has been added is recorded, detectingwhether or not the additional data has been detected from the data to berecorded, and when the additional data has been detected, recording thedata with the original quality.

The invention of claim 41 is a recording apparatus for a record medium,comprising an additional data detecting portion for detecting additionaldata added to input data, a selecting circuit portion for selecting thequality of the input data, an encoder for performing an encoding processfor causing output data of the selecting circuit to be recorded, a headportion to which output data of the encoder is supplied, and acontrolling portion to which a detected output of the additional datadetecting portion is supplied, when the additional data has beendetected by the additional data detecting portion, the controllingportion causing the selecting circuit portion to output data with thesame quality as the input data.

The invention of claim 48 is a reproducing apparatus for a recordmedium, comprising an advertisement data obtaining portion for obtainingadvertisement data from data that has been read from the record medium,a reward data extracting portion for extracting reward data from theadvertisement data obtaining portion, a decoding portion for performinga decoding process for the data that has been read from the recordmedium, an operating portion operated by a user, and a controllingportion for determining whether or not the operating portion has beenoperated by the user and the advertisement data has been reproduced andreproducing the data that has been read from the record mediumcorresponding to the reward data extracted by the reward data extractingportion when the determined result represents that the advertisementdata has been reproduced.

The invention of claim 55 is a reproducing apparatus for a recordmedium, comprising a decoding processing portion for performing adecoding process for data that has been read from a record medium, anadditional data detecting portion for detecting whether or notadditional data has been detected from the data that had been read fromthe record medium, and a controlling portion for performing areproducing operation for the data that had been read from the recordmedium corresponding to the detected additional data when the detectedresult of the additional data detecting portion represents that theadditional data has been detected from the data that had been read fromthe record medium.

The invention of claim 72 is a record medium on which content data andadditional data containing reward data added to the content data havebeen recorded.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining an operation of theembodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of electronicwatermark information;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining user reward informationaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of copyrightmanagement information;

FIG. 6 is a part of a flow chart for explaining a reproducing operationaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a part of the flow chart for explaining the reproducingoperation according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for explaining a user rewarding process accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining a data outputting controlaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a part of a flow chart for explaining a reproducing operationaccording to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a part of the flow chart for explaining the reproducingoperation according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining the reproducing operationaccording to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a data recording apparatus accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a part of a circuit according to theembodiment shown in FIG. 14; and

FIG. 16 is a flow chart for explaining a recording operation accordingto the embodiment shown in FIG. 14.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of thepresent invention will be described.

[Data Reproducing Apparatus According to First Embodiment]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the present invention. The first embodiment ofthe present invention is a data outputting apparatus. According to thefirst embodiment, content data is music data.

A record medium from which a reproducing operation is preformedaccording to the first embodiment is an optical disc 10. In addition,according to the first embodiment, when data recorded on the opticaldisc is reproduced, a charging process is performed corresponding to aprepaid system.

The optical disc 10 is a reproduction-only (hereinafter referred to asROM (Read Only Memory) type) disc or a recordable (hereinafter referredto as RAM (Random Access Memory) type) disc. Any of the ROM type discand the RAM type disc can be loaded to the reproducing apparatus. Thereproducing apparatus can reproduce data from any of the ROM type discand the RAM type disc.

The former ROM type disc is a disc on which data is pre-recorded by anauthoring system of a record company or the like. In contrast, thelatter RAM type disc is a disc on which the user can record personaldata. According to the embodiment, a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) discand a CD-RW (Compact Disc-ReWritable) disc can be used.

According to the embodiment, content data recorded on a ROM type dischas been encrypted. As shown in FIG. 2A, wobbled pits 1 have beenformed. As pit wobble information, an encryption key has been recorded.

Since the pit wobble information cannot be recorded by a regularrecording apparatus, when the pit wobble information is copied to a RAMtype disc, the pit wobble information is formed as a non-wobble pitsequence as shown in FIG. 2B. Thus, the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the embodiment determines whether the loaded disc is a ROMtype disc or a ROM type disc by detecting pit wobbles. When the loadeddisc is a ROM type disc, the data reproducing apparatus extractsinformation of an encryption key from the pit wobble information anddecrypts the encrypted content data.

Of course, when content data is recorded on a RAM disc, it is possibleto encrypt content data and record the encrypted content data. In thiscase, the information of the encryption key may be obtained from forexample a network or additional information of an electronic watermark.

According to the embodiment, content data is compressed and recorded ona disc.

According to the embodiment, additional information containing copyrightinformation and user reward information is added as electronic watermarkinformation to content data. As shown in FIG. 3, electronic watermarkinformation is superimposed with audio data in such a manner that theelectronic watermark information is not perceptible when the audio datais reproduced. The electronic watermark process is performed by usingfor example spectrum diffusion, masking effect, or the like.

According to the embodiment, additional data embedded as electronicwatermark information is 64-bit data having a structure as shown in FIG.4. In other words, in FIG. 4, the top four bits are a synchronous signalSYNC. The next two bits are copyright information. According to theembodiment, the copyright information is SCMS (Serial Copy ManagementSystem) information that is copy generation restriction information thatis used for audio data. The SCMS information is 2-bit information asshown in FIG. 5.

The SCMS information is followed by 7-bit charging discount rate data.The charging discount rate data is followed by 39-bit user reward data.The charging discount rate data and the user reward data compose userreward information according to the embodiment. The charging discountrate data is data that represents a charging discount rate for whichdata reproduced from the optical disc 10 is discounted. The user rewarddata is information about user rewards other than the charging discountrate. The user reward data is for example information necessary forobtaining

(1) song text in the case that audio content data is a song;

(2) jacket photo;

(3) various types of coupons; and

(4) points necessary for obtaining various types of services.

When data of the song text and the jacket photo is recorded on theoptical disc 10, the information necessary for obtaining (1) song textand (2) jacket photo is record address information. When data of thesong text and the jacket photo is stored in a server of a contentprovider on the network, the information necessary for obtaining (1)song text and (2) jacket photo is information about the server, contentprovider, and network.

(3) Various types of coupons are for example discount coupons forconcert tickets and discount coupons for ROM discs. (4) Points necessaryfor obtaining various types of services are rewards for various servicesand goods corresponding to earned points. When the coupons and pointsare recorded on the optical disc 10, their information is obtained. Theearned point information is periodically reported to the contentprovider on the network. The earned point information is stored in anaccount box of each user managed by the content provider. Correspondingto the earned points, the user can obtain various types of services andgoods from the content provider.

When coupon information and point information are not recorded on theoptical disc 10, corresponding to user reward data guide information orthe like, the data reproducing apparatus accesses the content providerthrough the network. Thus, coupons and points are stored in the useraccount box of the content provider.

The last eight bits are error detection code. In the example, CRC(Cyclic Redundancy Check) code is used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc 10 on which content data,additional information as electronic watermark information, and otherinformation have been recorded are rotated and driven by a spindle motor11 under the control of a servo circuit 12 so that the optical disc 10is rotated at the same speed as a so-called CD (Compact Disc) player.Data that is read from the optical disc 10 by an optical head 13 issupplied to a demodulating circuit 15 through an RF amplifier 14.

In the demodulating circuit 15, data that is read from the optical disc10 by the optical head 13 (namely, data recorded corresponding to EFM(Eight-to-Fourteen Modulation) is demodulated. Data that is demodulatedby the demodulating circuit 15 is supplied to an ECC (Error CorrectionCode) decoder 16. The ECC decoder 16 performs an error correctingprocess for the output data of the demodulating circuit 15 using forexample CIRC (Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon Code). The error-correctedaudio PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) data is supplied to a decryptingcircuit 17.

Information that is output from the optical head 13 is supplied to awobble detecting circuit 21. When the optical disc 10 is a ROM disc, pitwobbles are detected. The wobble detecting circuit 21 supplies thedetected output that represents whether or not it has detected pitwobbles to a system controller 100. When the optical disc 10 is a ROMdisc, pit wobble information detected by the wobble detecting circuit 21is supplied to an encryption key detecting circuit 22. The encryptionkey detecting circuit 22 detects the encryption key and supplies thedetected encryption key to the decrypting circuit 17.

The decrypting circuit 17 supplies an output that represents that it hasdecrypted the data of the ROM disc to the system controller 100. Inaddition, the decrypting circuit 17 supplies the decrypted content datato a decompressing circuit 18.

In the example, when the optical disc 10 is a RAM disc, content data isnot encrypted. Thus, according to the embodiment, when the optical disc10 is a RAM disc, reproduced content data is supplied to thedecompressing circuit 18 through the decrypting circuit 17 under thecontrol of the system controller 100 using a control signal thereof.

The decompressing circuit 18 decompresses compressed content datasupplied from the decrypting circuit 17. The decompressed content datathat is output from the decompressing circuit 18 is supplied to anoutput terminal 20A through a reproduction controlling circuit 19. Inaddition, the decompressed content data is supplied to an electronicwatermark information detecting circuit 23. (On the accompanyingdrawings, “electronic watermark information” is denoted by WM.)

Information that represents whether or not the electronic watermarkinformation detecting circuit 23 has detected electronic watermarkinformation is supplied to the system controller 100. In addition, theelectronic watermark information detected by the electronic watermarkinformation detecting circuit 23 is supplied to an electronic watermarkinformation decoding circuit 24.

The electronic watermark information decoding circuit 24 decodes theadditional data shown in FIG. 4. The decoded data is supplied to thesystem controller 100. The system controller 100 performs a userrewarding process using the input additional data. The user rewardingprocess will be described later.

According to the embodiment, compressed audio data that is output fromthe decrypting circuit 17 is supplied to a compressed signal outputterminal 20D through an encrypting circuit 25 and an IEEE (The Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.) 1394 interface 26.

The system controller 100 is composed of a microcomputer. A CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 101, a ROM 103, a RAM 104, I/O ports 111 to 118, a cardreader interface 121, a communication interface 122, a key interface123, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) interface 124 are connected toa system bus 102.

The ROM 103 stores a process for a reproducing process, a program for acharging process (that will be described later), and a program for auser reward information process. The RAM 104 is used as a work area.

A card reader 31 that loads a prepaid card 30 is connected to the cardreader interface 121. According to the embodiment, as will be describedlater, a charging process is performed using the prepaid card 30. Thecommunication interface 122 is connected to a content provider throughthe network. A key operating portion 32 is connected to the keyinterface 123. A displaying portion 33 that is composed of an LCD isconnected to the LCD interface 124.

Next, the data reproducing operation of the data reproducing apparatusaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described withreference to flow charts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The process shown inthe flow charts is executed by a program stored in the ROM 103 of thesystem controller 100.

First of all, it is determined whether or not the optical disc 10 hasbeen loaded to the data reproducing apparatus (at step S1). Thereafter,it is determined whether or not the loaded optical disc 10 is the ROMtype or the RAM type (at step S2). Besides the forgoing bit wobbleinformation, the type (ROM type or RAM type) of the optical disc 10 maybe determined by using an identifier that represents the type thereof orthe difference of the reflectance thereof.

When the determined result at step S2 represents that the loaded opticaldisc 10 is the ROM type, it is determined whether or not a reproductionoutput command key has been operated with the key operating portion 32(at step S3). When the determined result at step S3 represents that thereproduction output command key has been operated, data is read from theoptical disc 10 (at step S4). Thereafter, it is determined whether ornot the data that had been read from the optical disc 10 has beendecrypted (at step S5). When the data has not been decrypted at step S5,the reproducing operation for the optical disc 10 is stopped (at stepS6). Thereafter, the routine of the process is terminated.

When the determined result at step S5 represents that the data has beendecrypted, it is determined whether or not electronic watermarkinformation has been detected from the decrypted data (at step S11).When electronic watermark information has been detected at step S11,user reward information that contains charging discount rate and userreward data is extracted as decoded output data of the electronicwatermark information decoding circuit 24 (at step S12). Data of thecharging discount rate is obtained from the extracted user rewardinformation (at step S13). Corresponding to the data of the obtainedcharging discount rate, the charging amount is calculated (at step S14).The charging amount of the calculated result at step S14 is displayed onthe screen of the displaying portion 33. At that point, the chargingdiscount rate is also displayed (at step S16).

On the other hand, when electronic watermark information has not beendetected at step S11, the charging amount is calculated with no chargingdiscount (at step S15). The charging amount of the calculated result atstep S15 is displayed on the screen of the displaying portion 33 (atstep S16). At that point, the charging discount rate displayed on thedisplaying portion 33 is 0%.

Thereafter, the system controller 100 determines whether or not acharging process can be performed (at step S17). In the chargingprocess, the user is requested to insert a prepaid card 30 into the cardreader 31. Thereafter, the value of the inserted prepaid card 30 ischecked and it is determined whether or not the charging process can beperformed corresponding to the value of the prepaid card 30.

When the determined result at step S17 represents that the insertedprepaid card 30 does not have a sufficient value, the reproducingoperation of the optical disc 10 is stopped (at step S23). At thatpoint, a message that represents that the value of the prepaid card 30is sufficient is displayed on the displaying portion 33. Thereafter, theroutine of the reproducing process is terminated.

When the determined result at step S17 represents that the value of theinserted prepaid card 30 is sufficient, the reproducing operation forcontent data is executed (at step S18). It is determined whether or notthe reproducing operation for the content data has been completed (atstep S19). When the reproducing operation has been completed, thecharging process is executed so that that the charging amount is reducedfrom the value of the prepaid card 30 (at step S20). The chargingprocess is executed by decrypting encrypted content data.

After user reward data has been obtained at step S12, it is determinedwhether or not a process for the obtained user reward data is required(at step S21). When the determined result at step S21 represents that aprocess for the obtained user record data is required, the userrewarding process for the user reward data is performed (at step S22).An example of the user rewarding process executed at step S22 will bedescribed later.

When the determined result at step S21 represents that a process for theuser reward data is not required or when the user rewarding process hasbeen completed at step S22, the routine of the reproducing process iscompleted.

When the determined result at step S2 represents that the loaded opticaldisc 10 is a RAM disc, it is determined whether or not the reproductionoutput command key has been operated with the key operating portion 32(at step S7). When the determined result at step S7 represents that thereproduction output command key has been operated, data is read from theoptical disc 10 (at step S8). At that point, since the reproducedcontent data has not been encrypted, skipping the decrypting process, itis determined whether or not electronic watermark information has beendetected (at step S9). When electronic watermark information has notbeen detected, the flow advances to step S15. At step S15, the chargingamount is calculated with no charging discount. At step S16, thecharging amount is displayed. Thereafter, the process after step S17 isperformed.

When the determined result at step S9 represents that electronicwatermark information has been detected, decoded data of SCMSinformation of copyright information contained in the electronicwatermark information is checked. It is determined whether or not SCMSinformation is unconformable (at step S10).

In other words, data that had been read from another record medium hasbeen recorded on a RAM disc. In this case, content data that had beencopied one time has been recorded on a RAM disc. Thus, 2-bit SCMSinformation extracted from information read from the RAM disc must be“11” (copy prohibited) that has been rewritten by the recordingapparatus. Consequently, when the SCMS information contained in theelectronic watermark information detected at step S9 is “01” (thatrepresents one generation copy permitted) rather than “11”, it can besupposed that the content data of the RAM disc has been illegallycopied. At step S10, it is checked whether or not the SCMS informationis unconformable. When the SCMS information is unconformable, the flowadvances to step S6. At step S6, the reproducing operation for theoptical disc 10 is stopped. When the SCMS information is conformable atstep S10, the flow advances to step S12. Thereafter, the reproducingprocess for the optical disc 10 is performed in the forgoing manner.

When the copyright owner records an original content to a CD-R disc, itis distinguished from a CD-RW disc corresponding to the difference ofthe reflectance. Only for a CD-RW disc, it may be determined whether ornot the SCMS information is unconformable.

Next, an example of the user rewarding process at step S20 will bedescribed. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of the userrewarding process. In this example, it is assumed that on the opticaldisc 10, information of a text of a song to be reproduced and a jacketphoto of a performer and/or a singer has been recorded. As a reward tothe user who has detected electronic watermark information, the songtext and the jacket photo are provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the user rewarding process, a user rewardobtained from user reward data is recognized (at step S31). For example,additional information shown in FIG. 4 is read. With the additionalinformation that has been read, the user can know a reward he or she canobtain. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the reward isservice information such as a song text and a jacket photo recorded onthe optical disc 10 (at step S32). When the determined result representsthat the reward is service information, the service information such asa song text and a jacket photo is read from the optical disc 10corresponding to record area information of service informationcontained in the user reward data (at step S33). The service informationthat has been read is displayed on the screen of the displaying portion33 (at step S34).

When the determined result at step S32 represents that the reward is notservice information recorded on the optical disc 10 or when the serviceinformation obtained at step S34 is displayed, the flow advances to stepS35. At step S35, it is determined whether or not the reward contains aservice coupon. When the determined result at step S35 represents thatthe reward contains a coupon, a connection request is issued to theaddress of the content provider through the network, the address havingbeen registered in for example the ROM 103. As a result, a communicationlink is formed with the content provider through the network (at stepS36).

Identification data, a password, and so forth are input by the userthrough the key operating portion 32 and transmitted to the contentprovider. The content provider authenticates the user (at step S37).When the content provider has successfully authenticated the user, thecontent provider issues a coupon to the user. When the user requests thecontent provider to issue a coupon, he or she can obtain it. When thecontent provider issues a coupon to the user, it is stored in a couponstorage box for the user (at step S38). The coupon storage box isprovided for each user. Thereafter, another rewarding process (forexample, service points are stored) is performed (at step S39).Thereafter, the routine of the user rewarding process is completed.

When the content provider has not successfully authenticated the user,the content provider informs the user of a corresponding message. Themessage is displayed on for example the displaying portion 33 (at stepS40). Thereafter, another rewarding process (for example, service pointsare stored) is performed. Thereafter, the routine of the user rewardingprocess is completed.

According to the embodiment, compressed audio data is output through theIEEE 1394 interface 26. When the compressed audio data is output,corresponding to SCMS information contained in the electronic watermarkinformation, the output of the IEEE 1394 interface 26 is controlled.Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the output control of the IEEE 1394interface 26 will be described.

First of all, at step S41, a communication is made with an outputdestination through the IEEE 1394 bus. It is determined whether or notthe output destination is an apparatus corresponding to the IEEE 1394interface (hereinafter an apparatus corresponding to the IEEE 1394interface is referred to as compliant apparatus). When the determinedresult at step S41 represents that a unit or an apparatus as the outputdestination is not a compliant apparatus, the flow advances to step S45.At step S45, compressed audio data is encrypted and output. However, anencryption key necessary for decrypting encrypted audio data is nottransmitted to the unit or the apparatus as the output destination.Thus, a non-compliant apparatus cannot decrypt encrypted compressedaudio data.

When the determined result at step S41 represents that the unit or theapparatus as the output destination is a compliant apparatus, the flowadvances to step S42. At step S42, it is determined whether or not thecompliant apparatus as the output destination is a recording apparatus.When the determined result at step S42 represents that the unit or theapparatus as the output destination is not a recording apparatus, theflow advances to step S44. At step S44, the compressed audio data isencrypted and output. In addition, an encryption key necessary fordecrypting the encrypted audio data is transmitted to the compliantapparatus as the output destination.

When the determined result at step S42 represents that the outputdestination is a compliant recording apparatus, the flow advances tostep S43. At step S43, the SCMS information is interpreted and then itis determined whether or not the SCMS information represents that “onegeneration copy permitted”. When the determined result at step S43represents that the recording operation is prohibited, the flow advancesto step S45. At step S45, the compressed audio data is encrypted andoutput. However, an encryption key necessary for decrypting encryptedaudio data is not transmitted to the compliant recording apparatus.

When the determined result at step S43 represents that the SCMSinformation represents that the recording operation is permitted, theflow advances to step S44. At step S44, the compressed audio data isencrypted and output. In addition, an encryption key necessary fordecrypting encrypted audio data is transmitted to the compliantrecording apparatus. In other words, compressed audio data istransferred to the compliant recording apparatus through the IEEE 1394interface 26.

By the output control of the IEEE 1394 interface, only when the SCMSinformation represents that the copying operation is permitted, the datarecording apparatus as the output destination can decrypt encryptedaudio data using the transmitted encryption key and record the decryptedaudio data. When the SCMS information represents that the recordingoperation is prohibited, since the encryption key is not transmitted tothe compliant recording apparatus, it cannot decrypt compressedencrypted audio data. Thus, the compliant recording apparatus cannotcorrectly record audio data.

Thus, according to the first embodiment, when electronic watermarkinformation is detected, user reward information is also obtained. Thus,in addition to a service corresponding to reward information, varioustypes of services can be obtained. In contrast, when electronicwatermark information is not detected, various types of servicescorresponding to user reward information cannot be obtained at all.

As a result, the user actively detects and uses electronic watermarkinformation. Corresponding to SCMS information contained in electronicwatermark information, the copy generation can be correctly restricted.As a result, the copyright can be properly protected.

According to the first embodiment, the charging process is performedusing a prepaid card. Alternatively, the user may be pre-registered as amember to a content provider. The user may be authenticated and chargedthrough the network. Of course, it is not necessary to use a prepaidcard for the charging process.

[Data Reproducing Apparatus According to Second Embodiment]

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatusaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention. The secondembodiment is also a data outputting apparatus. However, according tothe second embodiment, content data is movie data (composed of videodata and audio data). As an example of a record medium from which datais reproduced, an optical disc 40 is a DVD (Digital Video Disc orDigital Versatile Disc). Likewise, according to the second embodiment, areproducing operation is charged corresponding to a prepaid system.

According to the second embodiment, advertisement information has beenadded to content data recorded on the optical disc 40. The advertisementinformation contains user reward information. When an advertisement isreproduced, the user reward information can be read. As a result,various types of user rewards can be obtained. The user rewardinformation contained in the advertisement information has the same datastructure shown in FIG. 4. However, it should be noted that according tothe present invention, the data structure of the user reward informationis not limited to that shown in FIG. 4.

As was described above, content data, advertisement informationcontaining user reward information, and other information have beenrecorded on the optical disc 40. As shown in FIG. 10, the optical disc40 is rotated and driven at for example constant linear velocity in sucha manner that the rotating speed of a spindle motor 41 is controlled bya servo circuit 42. Data that is read from the optical disc 40 by anoptical head 43 is supplied to a demodulating circuit 45 through an RFamplifier 44.

Data demodulated by the demodulating circuit 45 is supplied to an ECCdecoder 46. The ECC decoder 46 performs an error correcting process forthe demodulated data. The error-corrected data is supplied from the ECCdecoder 46 to a demultiplexing circuit 47.

The demultiplexing circuit 47 separates the error-corrected data intovideo data, audio data, and advertisement data that have beencompressed. The video data and the audio data are supplied to adecrypting circuit 48. The decrypting circuit 48 decrypts the video dataand audio data that have been encrypted. When the video data and audiodata have been decrypted, the corresponding information is supplied to asystem controller 200. A charging process is performed when encryptedvideo data and audio data are decrypted.

The video data and audio data that have been decrypted by the decryptingcircuit 48 are supplied to a decompressing circuit 49. The decompressingcircuit 49 decompresses the video data and audio data. Decompressedvideo data V is converted into for example an NTSC video signal (notshown). The NTSC video signal is supplied to an NTSC monitor receiver(not shown). Decompressed audio data A is converted into an analog audiosignal. The converted analog audio signal is supplied to a speaker (notshown) through a power amplifier (not shown).

The advertisement data is supplied from the demultiplexing circuit 47 toan advertisement data obtainment controlling circuit 51. Theadvertisement data obtainment controlling circuit 51 suppliesadvertisement data received from the demultiplexing circuit 47 to adecompressing circuit 52 and a reward information extracting circuit 53only when the user issues an advertisement obtainment command through akey operating portion 62 (that will be described later).

The decompressing circuit 52 decompresses the advertisement data thathas been compressed. In the same manner as the output video signal V,the decompressing circuit 52 supplies the decompressed advertisementdata CM to the monitor receiver.

The reward information extracting circuit 53 extracts user rewardinformation from the advertisement data, decodes the extracted userreward information, and supplies the decoded user reward information tothe system controller 200. The system controller 200 performs a userrewarding process using the input user reward information as will bedescribed later.

The system controller 200 is composed of a microcomputer. A CPU (CentralProcessing Unit) 201, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, I/O ports 211 to 215, a cardreader interface 221, a communication interface 222, a key interface223, an LCD (Liquid Crystal display) interface 224 are connected to asystem bus 202.

A program for a reproducing process, a program for a charging process(that will be described later), and a program for a user rewardingprocess have been stored in the ROM 203. The RAM 204 is used as a workarea.

A card reader 61 is connected to the card reader interface 221. The cardreader 61 loads a prepaid card 60. According to the embodiment, as willbe described later, a charging process is executed using the prepaidcard 60. The communication interface 222 is connected to a contentprovider through a network. The key operating portion 62 is connected tothe key interface 223. A displaying portion 63 composed of an LCD isconnected to the LCD interface 224.

Next, with reference to flow charts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a datareproducing operation of the data reproducing apparatus according to thesecond embodiment shown in FIG. 10 will be described. The process shownin the flow charts is executed by a program stored in the ROM 203 of thesystem controller 200.

First of all, it is determined whether or not the optical disc 40 hasbeen loaded to the data reproducing apparatus (at step S61). When thedetermined result at step 61 represents that the optical disc 40 hasbeen loaded to the data reproducing apparatus, information about recorddata is read from the optical disc 40. Using the information that hasbeen read from the optical disc 40, a content title screen withadvertisement banners is displayed as shown in FIG. 13 (at step S62).

FIG. 13 shows data displayed on a screen 63D of the displaying portion63. The displayed data includes a content title screen 240 for a contenttitle, main performer names, and so forth and four advertisement banners231, 232, 233, and 234.

Each of the advertisement banners 231, 232, 233, and 234 is a smalladvertisement caption. When one of the advertisement banners 231, 232,233, and 234 is selected and operated using the key operating portion62, advertisement data of the selected advertisement banner isreproduced.

When the screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, it is determined whetherone of the advertisement banners 231, 232, 233, and 234 has beenselected and operated (at step S63). When the determined result at stepS63 represents that one of the advertisement banners 231, 232, 233, and234 has been selected and operated, using a control signal SC,advertisement data of the selected and operated advertisement banner isextracted from the advertisement data obtainment controlling circuit 51.The extracted advertisement data is decompressed by the decompressingcircuit 52. The advertisement of the selected advertisement banner isdisplayed on the screen of the displaying portion 63 (at step S64).

At that point, the advertisement data is supplied to the rewardinformation extracting circuit 53. The reward information extractingcircuit 53 extracts user reward information from the advertisement data,decodes the extracted user reward information, and supplies the decodeddata to the system controller 200. The user reward information istemporarily stored in the RAM 204 (at step S65).

After the advertisement has been reproduced (at step S66), a userrewarding process is performed using the user reward information storedin the RAM 204 (at step S67). The user rewarding process performed atstep S67 is the same as the user rewarding process described withreference to FIG. 8.

After the user rewarding process has been performed, the flow returns tostep S62. At step S62, the content title screen with advertisementbanners is displayed. When the determined result at step S63 representsthat another advertisement banner has been selected and operated, thecycle from steps S64 to S67 is repeated. As a result, a user rewardcorresponding to the corresponding advertisement is executed.

In contrast, when the determined result at step S63 represents that noadvertisement banner has been selected and operated, it is determinedwhether or not a reproduction start command has been issued through thekey operating portion 62 (at step S68). When the determined result atstep S68 represents that the reproduction start command has been issued,before the reproduction start command is executed, it is determinedwhether or not the advertisement has been reproduced (at step S69).

When the determined result at step S69 represents that the advertisementhas been reproduced, information about a charging discount ratecontained in the reward information stored in the RAM 204 is obtained(at step S70). Thereafter, the charging amount is calculated (at stepS71). The charging amount of the calculated result is displayed on thedisplaying portion 63. At that point, the charging discount rate is alsodisplayed on the displaying portion 63 (at step S81 shown in FIG. 12).

When the determined result at step S69 represents that the advertisementhas not been reproduced, the charging amount is calculated with nocharging discount (at step S72). The charging amount of the calculatedresult is displayed on the screen of the displaying portion 63 (at stepS81). At that point, the charging discount rate becomes 0%.

Thereafter, the system controller 200 determines whether or not thecharging process can be performed (at step S82). In the process, theuser is requested to insert the prepaid card 60 into the card reader 61.The value of the card reader 61 is checked. It is determined whether ornot the charging process can be executed.

When the determined result at step S82 represents that the value of theprepaid card is insufficient, the reproducing operation is stopped (atstep S88). Thereafter, the routine of the reproducing process isterminated.

In contrast, when the determined result at step S82 represents that thevalue of the prepaid card is sufficient, it is determined whether or notthe content data can be decrypted (at step S83). When the determinedresult at step S83 represents that the content data can be decrypted,the flow advances to step S88. At step S88, the reproducing operation isstopped. Thereafter, the routine of the reproducing process for theoptical disc 40 is terminated.

When the determined result at step S83 represents that the copyrightdata can be decrypted, the decrypting process is continued (at stepS84). Thereafter, the charging process is executed (at step S85). As wasdescribed above, when the user has reproduced the advertisement, since acharging discount is obtained, the charging amount becomes inexpensive.Thereafter, the content data is reproduced (at step S86). After thecontent data has been reproduced or when the user issues a reproductionstop command (at step S87), the reproducing operation is stopped.Thereafter, the routine of the reproducing process is completed.

In contrast, when the determined result at step S83 represents that thecontent data cannot be decrypted, the flow advances to step S88. At stepS88, the reproducing operation for the optical disc 40 is stopped.

When the determined result at step S68 represents that the contentreproduction command has not been issued, it is determined whether ornot the content reproduction stop command has been issued (at step S73).When the determined result at step S73 represents that the stop commandhas been issued, the routine of the reproducing process is completed.When the determined result at step S73 represents that the stop commandhas not been issued, the flow returns to step S62. At step S62, theprocess after step S62 is repeated.

As was described above, according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention, when advertisement information has been reproducedbefore content data is reproduced, user reward information is alsoobtained. As a result, a charging discount is obtained. In addition,various types of services can be obtained. In contrast, when contentdata is reproduced without an advertisement, a charging discount cannotbe obtained at all. In addition, various types of services correspondingto the user reward information cannot be obtained at all.

Thus, it can be expected that the user can actively reproduce anadvertisement. Thus, there is an advantage of which an advertisement canbe effectively performed.

According to the second embodiment, the charging process is performedusing a prepaid card. Alternatively, the user may be pre-registered as amember to the content provider. When the user reproduces content data,he or she may be authenticated and charged through the network. Ofcourse, the charging process is not limited to the prepaid system.

As with the first embodiment, according to the second embodiment,electronic watermark information may be added to content information. Auser reward corresponding to the electronic watermark information may bealso used.

[Data Recording Apparatus According to Embodiment]

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a data reproducing apparatusaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. According to theembodiment, content data is music data. According to the embodiment, arecord medium is an optical disc 90. According to the embodiment, acharging process is performed corresponding to a prepaid system whencontent that is recorded.

According to the embodiment, copyright information for controlling acopy recording operation (in this example, additional data that containsSCMS information) is added as electronic watermark information tocontent data. As with the first embodiment, additional data as anelectronic watermark contains user reward information. The datastructure of the user reward information according to the embodimentshown in FIG. 14 is almost the same as the data structure shown in FIG.4.

In addition, according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, whenelectronic watermark information is detected from content data to berecorded, the content data can be recorded with a higher quality as areward than the case that electronic watermark information is not used.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, it is considered thatthere are two types of digital data and analog data as content data thatis input to the data recording apparatus. In addition, digitalelectronic watermark information and analog electronic watermarkinformation are added to digital content data and analog content data,respectively.

For example, as digital electronic watermark information, four low orderbits (starting from the LSB) of 16-bit audio PCM data are used asembedded digital electronic watermark information. As analog electronicwatermark information, embedded electronic watermark information shownin FIG. 3 is used.

In FIG. 14, digital audio PCM data that is input through a digital inputterminal 71D is supplied to a selector 72. In addition, the digitalaudio PCM data is supplied to a digital electronic watermark informationdetecting circuit (hereinafter, referred to as DWM detecting circuit asshown in FIG. 14) 74.

An analog audio signal that is input through an analog input terminal71A is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter 73.Thereafter, the digital signal is supplied to a selector 72. Inaddition, the digital signal is supplied to an analog electronicwatermark information detecting circuit (hereinafter referred to as AWMdetecting circuit as shown in FIG. 14) 75. An output of electronicwatermark information detected by the DWM detecting circuit 74 and anoutput of electronic watermark information detected by the AWM detectingcircuit 75 are supplied to a system controller 300.

The system controller 300 supplies an input select signal to a selector72. The input select signal causes the selector 72 to select the analogaudio signal or the digital audio signal. The system controller 300generates an input select signal corresponding to an input operation ofthe user through a key inputting portion 95.

Data obtained from the selector 72 is supplied to a record controllingcircuit 76. The system controller 300 supplies a control signalcorresponding to SCMS information of an output detected by the DWMdetecting circuit 74 or the AWM detecting circuit 75 to the recordcontrolling circuit 76 and performs a record control that executes arecording operation or prohibits it.

When the record controlling circuit 76 executes the recording operation,the audio PCM data is supplied to a quality selecting circuit 77. Whenthe system controller 300 receives an output of electronic watermarkinformation detected by the DWM detecting circuit 74 or the AWMdetecting circuit 75, the system controller 300 causes the qualityselecting circuit 77 to select a high quality output. Otherwise, thesystem controller 300 causes the quality selecting circuit 77 to selecta low quality output.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an example of the quality selectingcircuit 77. In the quality selecting circuit 77, 16-bit input audio datais supplied to an input buffer 771.

High order 12 bits of the 16-bit audio data of the input buffer 771 aresupplied as high order 12 bits of an output buffer 772. Low order fourbits of the 16-bit audio data of the input buffer 771 are supplied toone input terminal A having four bits of a selector 774. Four bits of“0” data are supplied from a “0” data generating circuit 773 to theother input terminal B having four bits of the selector 774.

When the system controller 300 has received an output of electronicwatermark information detected by the DWM detecting circuit 74 or theAWM detecting circuit 75, the system controller 300 causes the selector774 to select input data of the input terminal A and output the inputdata. When the system controller 300 has not received an output ofelectronic watermark information detected by the DWM detecting circuit74 or the AWM detecting circuit 75, the system controller 300 causes theselector 774 to select input data of the input terminal B and output theinput data.

Thus, in the data recording apparatus, when electronic watermarkinformation is detected by the DWM detecting circuit 74 or the AWMdetecting circuit 75 and the detected electronic watermark informationis used, the selector 774 outputs low order four bits of the originalaudio PCM data received from the input buffer 771 through the inputterminal A to the output buffer 772 as its low order four bits. When theelectronic watermark information is not used, the selector 774 outputsfour bits of “0” data received from the “0” data generating circuit 773through the input terminal B to the output buffer 772 as its low orderfour bits.

Thus, when electronic watermark information is not used, the low orderfour bits of the 16-bit audio PCM data are converted into all “0” dataand output from the quality selecting circuit 77. Thus, the quality ofthe PCM audio data is deteriorated in comparison with the quality of theoriginal audio PCM data. On the other hand, when the electronicwatermark information is used, the original 16-bit audio PCM data isdirectly output from the quality selecting circuit 77 without adeterioration. Thus, when electronic watermark information is used,higher quality data is output than the case that the electronicwatermark information is not used.

Audio data that is output from the quality selecting circuit 77 issupplied to an electronic watermark information adding circuit 78. Theelectronic watermark information adding circuit 78 rewrites SCMSinformation of the electronic watermark information shown in FIG. 4. Inother words, when the SCMS information contained in the electronicwatermark information detected by the DWM detecting circuit 74 or theAWM detecting circuit 75 represents “one generation copy permitted”, theelectronic watermark information adding circuit 78 rewrites the SCMSinformation so that it represents “copy prohibited”.

Audio data that is output from the electronic watermark informationadding circuit 78 is supplied to an ECC encoder 79. The ECC encoder 79performs an error correction encoding process for the input data usingfor example CIRC (Cross Interleave Reed-Solomon code).

The ECC encoder 79 supplies the error-corrected encoded data to acompressing circuit 80. The compressing circuit 80 compresses the audiodata and supplies the compressed audio data to a record modulatingcircuit 81. The record modulating circuit 81 performs a modulatingprocess suitable for recording the compressed audio data, for example, arecord modulating process corresponding to EFM (Eight-to-FourteenModulation) system.

The record modulating circuit 81 supplies the modulated data to arecording head 83 through a recording amplifier 82. The recording head83 writes data to a RAM type optical disc 90. The optical disc 90 isrotated and driven by a spindle motor 91. A servo circuit 92 performs aservo control at constant linear velocity so that the optical disc 90 isrotated as a predetermined rotating speed. The servo circuit 92generates a velocity servo signal corresponding to for example an audioPCM signal to be recorded and supplies the generated velocity servosignal to the spindle motor 91.

When the optical disc 90 is a CD-R disc, the recording head 83 heats anorganic dye material that composes a recording layer of the optical disc90 and deforms a part of the substrate of the optical disc 90 so as torecord data. When the optical disc 90 is a CD-RW disc, the recordinghead 83 varies the state of the recording layer between crystal andamorphous so as to record data.

As with the forgoing embodiments, the system controller 300 (not shownin FIG. 14) is composed of a microcomputer. A ROM connected to the CPUof the system controller 300 through the system bus stores a program fora recording process, a program for a charging process, and a program fora user rewarding process.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, to perform a chargingprocess, a card reader 94 that loads a prepaid card 93 is connected tothe system controller 300. The system controller 300 is connected to acontent provider through a network. In addition, a key operating portion95 and a displaying portion 96 composed of an LCD are connected to thesystem controller 300.

Next, with reference to a flow chart shown in FIG. 16, a data recordingoperation of the data recording apparatus shown in FIG. 14 according tothe embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First of all, it is determined whether or not a record key of the keyoperating portion 95 has been operated and a record command has beenissued (at step S91). When the determined result at step S91 representsthat the record key has not been operated, a process corresponding tothe operated key is performed (at step S92).

When the determined result at step S91 represents that the record keyhas been operated, it is determined that a record command has beenissued. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the input data is ananalog input (at step S93). The determination at step S93 is performeddepending on whether the input selected with the key operating portion95 is an analog input or a digital input. When the determined result atstep S93 represents that the input data is an analog input, analogelectronic watermark information is detected. Thereafter, it isdetermined whether or not the analog electronic watermark informationhas been detected (at step S94).

When the determined result at step S94 represents that analog electronicwatermark information has not been detected, the system controller 300causes the quality selecting circuit 77 to convert low order four bitsto all “0” and output audio data with a lower quality than the inputdata. Thus, audio data with a low quality is recorded to the opticaldisc 90 (at step S98).

When analog electronic watermark information has been detected at stepS94, the analog electronic watermark information is interpreted (at stepS95). As a result, it is determined whether or not the analog electronicwatermark information represents “one generation copy permitted” (atstep S96). When the determined result at step S96 represents that theanalog electronic watermark information represents “one generation copypermitted”, the system controller 300 causes the record controllingcircuit 76 to execute the recording operation for the data. In addition,the system controller 300 causes the quality selecting circuit 77 tooutput the original 16-bit audio data with a high quality. Thus, audiodata with an original quality is recorded to the optical disc 90 (atstep S97). At that point, the electronic watermark information addingcircuit 78 adds electronic watermark information to audio data. However,the SCMS information that represents “one generation copy permitted” isrewritten so that it represents “copy prohibited”. In the example,detected electronic watermark information other than the SCMSinformation is used as it is and recorded.

When the determined result at step S96 represents that the analogelectronic watermark information represents “copy prohibited”, the flowadvances to step S104. At step S104, the record controlling circuit 76is controlled so as to prohibit the recording operation. In reality, therecord data supplied to the quality selecting circuit 77 is stopped. Asa result, the recording operation for the optical disc 90 is stopped.

When the determined result at step S93 represents that input data is adigital input rather than an analog input, digital electronic watermarkinformation is detected. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not thedigital electronic watermark information has been detected (at stepS99). When the digital electronic watermark information has not beendetected at step S99, the system controller 300 causes the qualityselecting circuit 77 to convert low order four bits to all “0” andoutput audio data with a lower quality than the input data. Thus, audiodata with a lower quality than the input data is recorded to the opticaldisc 90 (at step S103).

When digital electronic watermark information has been detected at stepS99, the digital electronic watermark information is interpreted (atstep S100). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the digitalelectronic watermark information represents “one generation copypermitted” (at step S101). When the digital electronic watermarkinformation represents “one generation copy permitted”, the systemcontroller 300 causes the record controlling circuit 76 to record datato the optical disc 90 and the quality selecting circuit 77 to outputhigh quality data of the original 16-bit audio data. Thus, audio datawith the original quality is recorded to the optical disc 90 (at stepS102).

When the determined result at step S101 represents that the digitalelectronic watermark information represents “record prohibited”, theflow advances to step S104. At step S104, the recording operation forthe optical disc 90 is stopped. Thereafter, the recording process isterminated.

In the flow chart shown in FIG. 16, as a user reward, record quality ismainly assured. Thus, a charging process and other user rewardingprocesses were omitted. However, as with the data reproducingapparatuses according to the foregoing embodiments, in the datarecording apparatus shown in FIG. 14, when electronic watermarkinformation is used, a charging process using data of a chargingdiscount rate contained in user reward information is performed. Whenelectronic watermark information is not used, a charging process isperformed with no discount.

When electronic watermark information is used, the user can obtainservice data contained in user reward information and various types ofcoupons.

In the case that advertisement information has been added to contentdata to be recorded, before the content data is recorded, when theadvertisement is reproduced, an advantage of which the content data canbe recorded with a charging discount can be obtained. In addition, otheruser rewards can be obtained.

Thus, in the data recording apparatus according to the forgoingembodiment, when electronic watermark information is used, content datawith a higher quality can be copied than the case that the electronicwatermark information is not used. In addition, user reward informationis obtained. As a result, a charging discount can be obtained. Moreover,various types of services can be obtained.

Consequently, it can be expected that the user can actively useelectronic watermark information. Thus, copyright protection can beproperly performed.

In the forgoing embodiment, the charging process is performedcorresponding to a prepaid system using a prepaid card. Alternatively,the user may be registered as a member to the content provider. In thiscase, the user may authenticated and charged through the network. Ofcourse, the charging process may be performed by other than the prepaidsystem.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

In the data reproducing apparatus according to the forgoing embodiments,the quality selecting circuit 77 of the data recording apparatusaccording to the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 may be disposed. As a userreward for which the user uses electronic watermark information orreproduces an advertisement, the quality of the reproduced output can beimproved in comparison with the case that the user neither uses theelectronic watermark information nor reproduces the advertisement.

In the data recording apparatus according to the embodiment, whenelectronic watermark information is not used, content data is copied ata normal recording speed prescribed in the standard. In contrast, whenelectronic watermark information is used, content data may be copied ata higher recording speed than prescribed in the standard as a userreward.

When electronic watermark information is used or an advertisement isreproduced, a user reward menu may be displayed on the LCD screen sothat the user can select his or her desired reward. In this case, when amessage that represents that when the user uses electronic watermarkinformation or reproduces an advertisement, he or she can obtain areward is displayed, it can be expected that the use of the electronicwatermark information and the reproduction of the advertisement arepromoted.

In the case that copyright information has been added to content data inan additional format rather than electronic watermark information, thepresent invention can be applied as with the foregoing embodiments.

In addition, the data outputting apparatuses according to theembodiments of the present invention are not limited to data outputtingapparatuses. In other words, for example, the data outputtingapparatuses according to the embodiments of the present invention can beapplied to a so-called set top box and a broadcast receiving apparatus.

As was described above, according to the present invention, whenelectronic watermark information is used or an advertisement isreproduced, the user can obtain a reward. Thus, the use of electronicwatermark information and the reproduction of advertisements arepromoted. Consequently, the copyright management can be effectivelyperformed. In addition, since the hit rates of advertisements areimproved, advertisements can be effectively made.

1. A recording method, comprising the steps of: when data to whichadditional data has been added is recorded, detecting whether or not theadditional data has been detected from the data to be recorded; and whenthe additional data has been detected, recording the data with theoriginal quality.
 2. The recording method as set forth in claim 1, whenthe additional data has not been detected, recoding the data with a lowquality to the record medium.
 3. The recording method as set forth inclaim 2, wherein the recoding step is performed by converting low orderbits of the data to all zeros and recording the resultant data to therecord medium.
 4. The recording method as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: interpreting the detected additional data; andwhen the interpreted additional data represents that a recordingoperation is permitted, recording the data to the record medium.
 5. Therecording method as set forth in claim 4, further comprising the stepsof: interpreting the detected additional data; and when the interpretedadditional data represents that a recording operation is prohibited,terminating the recording operation for the data to the record medium.6. The recording method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the additionaldata contains copyright data.
 7. The recording method as set forth inclaim 6, wherein the additional data has been embedded as electronicwatermark information to the data.
 8. The recording method as set forthin claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining the type of thedata; and when the determined result represents that the data is analogdata, determining whether or not the additional data added to the analogdata has been detected.
 9. The recording method as set forth in claim 1,further comprising the steps of: determining the type of the data; andwhen the determined result represents that the data is digital data,determining whether or not the additional data added to the digital datahas been detected.
 10. A recording apparatus for a record medium,comprising: additional data detecting portion for detecting additionaldata added to input data; a selecting circuit portion for selecting thequality of the input data; an encoder for performing an encoding processfor causing output data of the selecting circuit to be recorded; a headportion to which output data of the encoder is supplied; and acontrolling portion to which a detected output of the additional datadetecting portion is supplied, when the additional data has beendetected by the additional data detecting portion, the controllingportion causing the selecting circuit portion to output data with thesame quality as the input data.
 11. The recording apparatus for therecord medium as set forth in claim 10, wherein when the additional datadetecting portion has not detected the additional data, the controllingportion causes the selecting circuit portion to output data with a lowerquality than the input data.
 12. The recording apparatus for the recordmedium as set forth in claim 10, wherein the selecting circuit portionhas: a buffer memory for buffering the input data; a selector forselecting low order bit data of the output data of the buffer memory orzero data corresponding to a control signal that is output from thecontrolling portion and outputting the selected data; and a combiningportion for combining high order bit data of the output data of thebuffer memory and the output data of the selector.
 13. The recordingapparatus for the record medium as set forth in claim 12, wherein theselecting circuit portion has a data generating portion for generatingthe zero data.
 14. The recording apparatus for the record medium as setforth in claim 12, wherein the additional data has been embedded aselectronic watermark information to the input data, and wherein theadditional data detecting portion detects the electronic watermarkinformation from the input data.
 15. The recording apparatus for therecord medium as set forth in claim 10, wherein the additional datacontains copyright data, and wherein the encoder has an additionalcircuit portion for rewriting the copyright data of the output data ofthe selecting circuit portion.
 16. The recording apparatus for therecord medium as set forth in claim 15, when the copyright data is datathat represents a recordable state, the additional circuit portionrewrites the copyright data to a state that represents that a recordingoperation is prohibited.